The Blades picked up a massive three points against relegated Watford in a tight and nervy encounter yesterday.
The performance may not have been great, in fact it was pretty poor, but the result was what mattered, as United produced their first double over a team this season.
Results wise, yesterday couldn’t have gone much better, with us picking up three points, Wednesday losing to Birmingham to end their play-off dreams, and Leeds all but relegated to the third tier of the English league!
The action that took place on the pitch was hardly anything to write home about though as a deflected shot from Michael Tonge proved to be enough to give the Blades the vital three points.
In a poor first half, the Blades created the first clear opportunity, when a Carlisle slip allowed Nade to break clear but the striker tried to take the ball around Foster and the keeper got back to push the ball out for a corner.
Carlisle was again involved in the 19th minute when he was booked for twice kicking Kenny after the Blades keeper had caught the ball from a corner.
On 32 minutes Carlisle blocked Stead with his elbow as the striker ran past the defender but the referee booked Shittu to let Carlisle off the hook.
Just as it looked like the game would go in all square at half time, TONGE struck.
The midfielder picked up the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and unleashing a shot at goal that flicked off Powell’s shoulder and looped over Foster and into the net.
Watford replied with a Mahon shot that was deflected behind for a corner before the referee blew the half time whistle.
The second half started far more brightly with King shooting over for Watford before Gillespie saw his low shot well held by Foster.
Half of Bramall Lane thought United had gone 2-0 up on 50 minutes but Morgan’s header from Gillespie’s cross went just over the bar and landed on top of the net.
Watford should have equalised on 64 minutes when King broke past Morgan but the striker put his lob over Kenny and onto the crossbar before the Blades cleared.
As Watford started to push forward they were caught on the break by Gillespie, but the winger’s shot from the edge of the area was parried wide by Foster.
The Blades really should have finished the game off moments later when Kazim-Richards broke forward but played a poor ball into Stead when Tonge was free at the back post.
The final five minutes were nearly all Watford though as Kenny, after first hesitating, managed to clear a ball from the toes of King before Bangura saw his 20 yard volley fly an inch over Kenny’s crossbar.
A minute later the final whistle sounded and around 30,000 Blades fans breathed a huge sigh of relief before cheering the team off the pitch.
It was another massive three points for the Blades, which was made even better by the news from Ewood Park, St Andrews and Elland Road!
Player Ratings
Kenny
6.5/10
Geary
7/10
Morgan
8/10
Kilgallon
7/10
Armstrong
8/10
Jagielka
5/10
Montgomery
5/10
Tonge
7.5/10
Gillespie
5.5/10
Nade
8.5/10
Stead
6/10
Kazim-Richards
7/10
Davis
7/10